How to Say “White wine” in Chinese
Food and dining · HSK 2
"White wine" in Chinese is 白葡萄酒 (bái pú táo jiǔ). Critical warning: never shorten this to 白酒 (báijiǔ)! 白酒 means Chinese grain liquor; typically 40–60% ABV, served in shot glasses at banquets, and nothing like wine. If you ask for 白酒 expecting Sauvignon Blanc, you'll get Moutai (茅台) or Erguotou (二锅头) and a very different evening.
Primary translation
白葡萄酒
bái pú táo jiǔ
Variants by register
Formal
一杯白葡萄酒
yī bēi bái pú táo jiǔ
Casual
来杯白葡萄酒
lái bēi bái pú táo jiǔ
When to use it
Critical warning: never shorten this to 白酒 (báijiǔ)! 白酒 means Chinese grain liquor; typically 40–60% ABV, served in shot glasses at banquets, and nothing like wine. If you ask for 白酒 expecting Sauvignon Blanc, you'll get Moutai (茅台) or Erguotou (二锅头) and a very different evening. Always use the full 白葡萄酒 (bái pútáo jiǔ, 'white grape wine'). In bars or Western restaurants in Shanghai or Beijing, staff will understand; but in smaller cities, be explicit. This distinction trips up nearly every learner at least once.
Example sentences
请给我一杯白葡萄酒，不是白酒。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi bái pú táo jiǔ, bù shì bái jiǔ.
Please give me a glass of white wine, not baijiu.
白葡萄酒配海鲜很好。
Bái pú táo jiǔ pèi hǎi xiān hěn hǎo.
White wine pairs well with seafood.
这里有什么白葡萄酒？
Zhè lǐ yǒu shén me bái pú táo jiǔ?
What white wines do you have here?